BASIS SCOTTSDALE
Grades 5-12

BASIS.ed Blog

BASIS charter schools have been educating students for nearly two decades – and have been doing it quite differently than most other institutions of primary and secondary learning across the nation, and around the world. BASIS began as one charter … Continue reading →

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BASIS Scottsdale Information

WELCOME TO BASIS SCOTTSDALE

BASIS schools offer students something no other American public school does: An education that prepares them according to the highest, most rigorous international standards. Our schools have been ranked consistently among the best schools in the United States--and the world.

We Are Accepting Applications For The 2015-2016 School Year

School Tours for Prospective BASIS Parents and Students

We will begin offering tours of our campus to allow you to personally experience the expert teaching and advanced learning environment that BASIS is known for. Please click the link below to schedule a tour.

BASIS Scottsdale opened in 2003, the second school to feature the BASIS course of study, Grades 5-12. This year we celebrate our 10th Anniversary! A decade later, our mission is unaltered; our standards higher than ever. BASIS Scottsdale boasts an elevated humanities program and a carefully constructed math and science curriculum, which is on par with the high achieving educational programs found in Europe and Asia. In short, BASIS students embark on a school career path that leads to present and future success.

The Lower School program focuses on building organizational and study skills and creating a deep knowledge base necessary for students to tackle the demanding AP-based upper school curriculum. Latin, general science and physical geography are introduced in Grade 5. Physics, chemistry and biology are in Grade 6. Seventh graders have the opportunity to study Mandarin, French or Spanish.

The BASIS Upper School is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 high school programs in the country by U.S. News, Newsweek, and The Washington Post. We offer a surfeit of Honors, AP and Post AP level classes in the high school grades, and we can claim that every student who enters the school can excel with support from teachers and family. Upper School students can begin taking Advanced Placement® courses as early as the eighth grade and will take at least eight AP courses and six AP® exams by the end of their junior year.

A Letter from the Head of School

Dear Friends,

Over three years ago when I stepped foot at BASIS Scottsdale and toured the facility for the first time, I recall finding it impossible to repress my excitement and awe as I witnessed classroom after classroom of engaged students participating in discussions well-above typical grade level across all subject areas. I was immediately hooked back then and knew that BASIS Scottsdale would be my home away from home for a long time to come. Serving as your Head of School has already been the single most rewarding experience of my career. I look forward to continued collaboration among families, students, and teaching staff.

At BASIS Scottsdale there is a “buzz-iness” about the school. Students, teachers, and staff alike know that we are participating in an academic program that is unparalleled and immensely successful. More colleges than ever have come to our school to meet our students and “understand where so many great applications come from” (a quote by an MIT admissions representative, 2014). And this past Spring, I welcomed at least three dozen organizations, philanthropists, and educational institutions as they have requested to tour the facilities and meet our renowned students. Without exception, these individuals have expressed amazement at what we take for granted: we are a world class institution with happy students and teachers engaged in learning, and supporting one another while taking great steps forward.

We are on the cutting edge of American education – this is a fact. Never before have such large quantities of students passed extremely difficult examinations at such high levels. For instance, in July 2013 approximately 185 students took 630 AP exams across 20 different subject areas. Not only did 100% of the students pass at least one exam, but of the full 630 exams, our students passed 94% of them with an average score of 4.2 out of 5! While naysayers love to use the catchy phrase, “teaching to the test,” we love to quickly rebut that our students also excel in examinations that have no curriculum tied to them. Most recently, BASIS Scottsdale outperformed the #1 ranked Shanghai-China on the OECD’s assessment of critical thinking skills the areas of Math, Science, and Reading. In fact, the results showed that across the United States, our 15 year old students were three years ahead in Reading and Science, and four years ahead in Math. Internationally, BASIS Scottsdale placed in the top 1% of schools in the world in Math and Reading.

The 2014-2015 academic year brings new opportunities for awe and confounding. How our students exceed the challenges we give them and surprise us in new ways never fails to invigorate everyone in our community. Witnessing their scholastic, athletic, artistic, and community service successes is an honor and a great joy. I welcome you to share in this excitement with us.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth McConaghy
Head of School

OPPORTUNITY TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

The BASIS Schools international Student Program is currently seeking families in the Scottsdale area to host an international student, who will be attending BASIS Scottsdale, for the 2014-15 school year.

If you are interested in becoming a host family, or simply want more information, please email Hana Shafer at international.education@basised.com. Hana will quickly contact you to answer any questions and guide you through the process.

Hosting an international student is a wonderful opportunity and a rewarding experience for both host families and international students themselves. By becoming a host family, you will participate in a truly unique cultural exchange and learn about another part of the world, including its culture and customs -- while shaping the positive and purposeful impression of a young student visiting our country. For both host and visitor, it's a fantastic dynamic, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS

Per A.R.S. § 38-431.02. Notice of meetings for BASIS Scottsdale will be posted on this website under People – School Board. Notices will also be posted on a front lobby window at 11440 North 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, visible to the public 24 hours per day, seven days a week.